The intent of the environmental impact statement (EIS) requirement is to provide to the municipal agency a basis for making determinations in order to protect its delicately balanced physical and biologically active land areas, given the fact that major portions of the Township are environmentally sensitive and stand to suffer adverse environmental effects without proper control if uncontrolled land use patterns take place. It is therefore, recognized that in order to promote land uses which promote the public health, safety and welfare, protect public and private property and are reasonably consistent and compatible to the natural laws governing the physical, chemical and geological environment of the Township, environmental impact statements shall be required to protect the environmental conditions naturally existing in the Township. It is with this intent that this Article is established.
A. 
An environmental impact statement is required for:
(1) 
Every major subdivision involving 10 or more new lots which is proposed for the purpose of any kind of development, present or future.
(2) 
Every major site plan submission.
B. 
The environmental impact statement shall accompany the initial submission of a major application.
A. 
Preparation. The environmental impact statement should be prepared using an interdisciplinary approach. The qualifications of the person(s) who prepared each of the various elements of the statement shall be identified in a separate section of the EIS. References shall be cited throughout the statement as appropriate and listed fully using a consistent standard format.
B. 
Format. The environmental impact statement shall be bound or in a loose-leaf binder and submitted on eight-and-one-half-by-eleven-inch paper. Each major section of the statement shall be clearly identified and shall begin on a separate page. All maps, plans and aerial photographs included in the statement shall specify a north point, graphic scale, date of preparation, source of information and, where appropriate, boundary lines. Maps, plans and aerial photographs submitted in each major section of the statement shall be at appropriate scales to facilitate comparative analyses and assessments of environmental impacts.
C. 
Contents. The EIS shall contain the following elements, as specified below:
(1) 
Cover page. The cover page shall indicate:
(a) 
That the document is an EIS for (state name or title of application).
(b) 
The name of the proposed facility.
(c) 
Its location within the Township.
(d) 
The name, address and telephone number of the person who prepared the EIS.
(e) 
The date of preparation of the EIS.
(2) 
Summary. A "one-page" summary containing the following elements shall be placed at the beginning of the EIS:
(a) 
A brief description of the proposed facility, including its location.
(b) 
Summary of major beneficial and adverse environmental impacts of the proposed facility.
(c) 
Summary of major alternatives considered.
(d) 
Township, county, state and federal approvals required for the proposed facility, if any.
(3) 
Table of contents. The EIS shall contain a table of contents indicating the page numbers of the major sections and subsections.
(4) 
Inventory. The applicant shall succinctly describe the existing environmental conditions of the site and surrounding region in sufficient detail to assist in the location and design of the facility, provide a basis for the applicant's assessment of the probable beneficial and adverse impacts of the proposed facility and enable the Township to make the findings for permit approval. General inventory requirements for each facility as required herein.
(5) 
Project description. The applicant shall succinctly describe what he proposes to do, and where and how he proposes to do it, during construction and operation of the facility. The project description shall include written text and graphic materials, including a site plan which may contain much of the project description information. General project description requirements for each facility type as required herein.
(6) 
Unavoidable adverse environmental impact. The applicant shall describe probable adverse environmental impacts of the facility that cannot be avoided, including irretrievable commitments of resources, which shall be listed in the order of their relative magnitude.
(7) 
Techniques to minimize adverse environmental impacts. The applicant shall describe the steps he will take to minimize or avoid adverse environmental impacts during the facility's construction, operation or removal, both at the site and in the surrounding region. The applicant's program for ascertaining and verifying the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the facility and the actual effects of project construction shall also be described.
(8) 
Alternatives.
(a) 
The applicant shall identify, describe and analyze alternatives to all of the proposed facility and any part of the proposed facility, including the alternatives of no facility, alternative sites, alternative uses of this site and postponing construction.
(b) 
The discussion of alternatives shall include an evaluation of alternatives that might avoid or minimize some or all of the probable adverse environmental impacts of the project. The costs and benefits of the alternatives shall be analyzed and presented. Reasons for the acceptability or nonacceptability of each alternative shall be given. For residential and sewerage facilities, the presentation of alternatives may include a brief narrative and accompanying sketch plans.
(9) 
Other required licenses, permits and approvals. The applicant shall list all known licenses, permits and other approvals required by Township, county, state or federal law for the construction and operation of the proposed facility. The status of each shall be identified.
(10) 
Documentation. The applicant shall prepare a reference list using a consistent standard format of all published materials, reports, manuscripts or other written sources of information on the facility, its site and surrounding region consulted and employed in the preparation of the environmental impact statement. A separate reference list of all government agencies and individuals that either provided information orally and by letter or coordinated the EIS shall be prepared, with the dates and locations of all meetings specified. The documentation section shall also indicate the person(s) that prepared each major section and subsection of the EIS, including their qualifications.
The same schedule and conditions applicable to the full site plan requirements shall also apply to a submitted EIS.
A. 
General site location map. The site of the proposed facility shall be located generally on a United States Geological Survey Map of the Township.
B. 
Site location map and existing site conditions. A site location map shall be provided consistent with the standards established for site plan submission set forth in Article XII. Existing site conditions which may hinder or prevent development such as delineated wetlands, surface water bodies and slopes of 15% or more shall be presented in the mapped format as well as the written format specified below.
C. 
Existing regional conditions. The existing and proposed supply of and estimated need for the specific facility the applicant proposes to construct shall be described for the relevant surrounding region, which shall be interpreted to mean at least the county. These regional conditions may be mapped if appropriate.
D. 
Geology and soils. A map and text shall identify and describe the physical features of the site, including, but not limited to:
(1) 
Soil types, as classified and mapped by the Cooperative Soil Survey as conducted by the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the New Jersey Experiment Station, Cook College, Rutgers University, and the State Soil Conservation Committee, New Jersey Department of Agriculture (SCS-USDA), where available, or alternative soil types if SCS-USDA data is unavailable.
(2) 
A soils data chart with descriptions indicating the following information for each soil type identified within the site in Subsection D(1) above:
(a) 
Drainage class.
(b) 
Permeability class.
(c) 
Seasonal high-water table.
(d) 
Foundation limitations.
(e) 
Agricultural land capacity class.
(f) 
Erosion potential.
(g) 
Septic tank suitability, if appropriate.
(h) 
Trafficability (dust hazard).
(i) 
Depth of and name of the first geologic formation named on New Jersey Geologic Map, Atlas Sheet 40, or equivalent documentation, including pre-quaternary deposits.
(j) 
Degree of acidity and alkalinity of the soil [pH of five point five (5.5) or lower and pH of eight point five (8.5) or higher].
(3) 
Engineering soil classification, as mapped by SCS-USDA.
(4) 
An engineering design characteristics chart indicating the following information for each engineering soil classification within the site in Subsection D(3) above:
(a) 
Limitations of soils for road cuts and fills.
(b) 
Road alignment characteristics.
(c) 
Limitations of soil for embankments.
(d) 
Pavement support characteristics.
(5) 
The location, nature and thickness of any areas containing landfill materials on and within 200 feet of the site, a description of the landfill materials, and the appropriate beginning and cessation dates of landfill activities.
(6) 
Potentially valuable mineral, gravel or other subsurface resources of the site shall be identified.
E. 
Hydrology. A topographic map of the site and its surroundings to a distance of 200 feet, with contour intervals consistent with those required for site plan submissions and accompanied by appropriate text shall identify and describe the following items:
(1) 
Surface water.
(a) 
Existing natural and man-made watercourses, including drainageways, swales and water control structures, on and within 200 feet of the site, with their location, width, slope, capacity and direction of flow.
(b) 
Flood hazard areas or floodprone areas with cross section of watercourses at an appropriate scale and at appropriate intervals along the watercourse, showing extent of floodplain, top of bank, normal water level and bottom elevation.
(c) 
Existing lakes or ponds within or adjacent to the site, with location, extent and water level elevation.
(d) 
Existing storm drainage systems, including storm sewers, drainage ditches and retention or detention basins, on or adjacent to the site, with location, extent, capacity and direction of flow.
(e) 
Existing stormwater runoff from the project site and upstream watershed areas and calculations used to determine same.
(f) 
Existing slope analysis, with slopes of zero to one percent (0% - 1%), two to four percent (2% - 4%), five to nine percent (5% - 9%), ten to fourteen percent (10% - 14%) and 15% or more delineated;
(2) 
Groundwater.
(a) 
Aquifer recharge areas.
(b) 
Apparent direction of groundwater movement based upon surficial topography monitoring or potable water well data if available;
(c) 
Yields of existing wells within one-half ( 1/2) mile of the site, including description of aquifer(s) being utilized.
F. 
Vegetation. A map and text shall identify and describe the vegetation of the site, including but not limited to, the following items:
(1) 
The vegetation types present, indicating the major species by scientific and common name. Where applicable, both overstory and understory species should be included.
(2) 
The acreage and percent of total area represented by each type.
(3) 
Data for forest types shall include average diameter breast high (measured at 4.5 feet above ground level), diameter range and basal area for the overstory trees.
(4) 
Species or specimen trees unique because of scarcity, size, historical significance or endangered shall be indicated.
(5) 
Wetlands as determined through actual field delineation should be described. A wetlands delineation report prepared by a qualified individual per the requirements of the New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act[1] may be included as an Appendix to this environmental impact statement. Alternatively, a statement from a qualified individual as to the absence of wetlands, if applicable, should be provided.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 13:9B-1 et seq.
G. 
Wildlife. A map and text shall identify and describe the wildlife of the site (indicated by their common and scientific names), including but not limited to the following items:
(1) 
The species of wildlife (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians or aquatic organisms) present or which could be affected by the proposed project and the amount and quality of their associated habitat.
(2) 
Any areas within the proposed site which are critical to the life cycle of any species of wildlife should be discussed.
(3) 
Those species of wildlife classified as threatened or endangered by the appropriate state or federal agencies.
H. 
Water quality.
(1) 
Surface waters. A water quality inventory of such water bodies directly affected by the proposed facility shall be prepared utilizing existing authoritative sources of information. The classifications of such affected water bodies, their water quality standards and their status in meeting the established water quality standards shall be described. Existing restrictive uses of these water bodies shall be identified. The need to present additional data shall be based upon the relative sensitivity of the water body affected.
(2) 
Groundwater. Where groundwater is to be utilized for potable water supplies, the water quality inventory shall include those parameters established for prevailing drinking water standards and any water quality standards established for groundwater.
I. 
Water supply. The existing and proposed potable water supply system available to the site shall be identified and described in maps and text, indicating:
(1) 
Source of supply.
(2) 
Adequacy of supply, including current and anticipated maximum water demands within the entire service area, as available by the owner of said supply.
(3) 
Pressure and volume of water available.
J. 
Sewerage system. The existing and proposed sewerage system available to the site shall be identified and described in maps and text, indicating:
(1) 
Availability of existing facilities, including status of sewer connection ban, if any;
(2) 
The adequacy of existing facilities, including:
(a) 
Design capacity, type of treatment provided and location of outfall.
(b) 
Current flows, including average monthly during highest month and highest twenty-four-hour flow).
(c) 
Outstanding commitments to accept additional flows from other projects.
(d) 
Water quality standards and effluent limitations.
(3) 
Where individual septic tanks are proposed, indicate:
(a) 
Location of registered or licensed water supplies within 500 feet of the project.
(b) 
Field data describing results of soil borings, percolation test and seasonally high ground water table conditions, with specific locations of (including the dates of these tests). Soil borings shall be classified by the Unified Soil Classification System.
K. 
Air quality. The existing air quality of the site and its surrounding region shall be evaluated and described, using monitoring data collected by and available from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy. The applicant may also monitor the existing air quality, or estimate air quality utilizing other sources of information.
L. 
Energy. The energy supplies available for delivery to the site shall be estimated, with types of energy, points of origin and means of transmission and delivery described and located. The percent of existing supply presently utilized shall be identified and, if applicable, differences in seasonal demands shall be indicated.
M. 
Public services. Existing public and private services relevant to the proposed facility and available at the site and its surrounding region shall be described and located. Such services shall include, but not be limited to police and fire protection, first aid and ambulance services, health services, solid waste and garbage services, public and private educational facilities and commercial facilities.
N. 
Outdoor recreation. A map and accompanying text shall identify the site and locate and describe the types and quantities, physical accessibility and availability for public use of recreation facilities and services within two miles of the site, including, but not limited to, the following: waterways, wetlands, marinas, boat docks and launching platforms, playgrounds, parks, forests, natural areas, tennis courts, swimming pools, bikeways, etc. The extent of existing use and of unused capacity of these facilities shall also be indicated.
O. 
Transportation. The existing and known proposed transportation system available to the site and its surrounding region shall be described and located on a map at an appropriate scale. The highway and road network, other forms of public and private, individual and mass transportation, frequencies, volumes, peak periods and routes shall be identified. The relationship between places of employment and residential areas in the region shall be discussed.
P. 
Historical and cultural resources. The social, economic and community history of the site and its relevant surrounding region shall be described. Areas and sites of archeological, architectural, anthropological and historic significance, including those proposed for nomination or included in the National State Register of Historic Places, shall be identified, described and located on a map. An awareness of both above and below ground cultural resources, if any, should be reflected in this section, which should include a synopsis of the effort and method that is the basis for this awareness.
Q. 
Aesthetics. The existing visual character and scenic attributes of the built and natural environment of the site and its relevant surrounding region, including common and significant views and vistas to and from the site, shall be described and depicted graphically, as appropriate.
R. 
Demographic, social and economic conditions. A general demographic profile of the municipality and county in which the proposed facility is located shall be prepared, including data on the age, family income and occupation distribution of the population, as well as recent demographic trends. The relevant general social and economic problems and opportunities of the site and its relevant surrounding region, including housing considerations, municipal and county government revenues and expenditures, employment and property values and the relevant legitimate economic aspirations of the inhabitants of the area shall be discussed.
S. 
Hazardous materials. Any known or suspected deposits of man-made regulated hazardous materials, including hazardous wastes, such as contaminated soil, above or below ground oil storage tanks or abandoned chemical storage facilities, shall be described. The applicant shall specify whether such deposits are to be removed from the site in compliance with applicable Department of Environmental Protection and Energy rules and regulations.
Upon receipt of the application, the Administrative Officer shall forward the environmental impact statement to the Environmental Commission and the appropriate reviewing board engineer. The above-mentioned Commission and engineer shall review the applicant's environmental impact statement and shall report its comments within 30 days of the date of submission to the municipal agency. The municipal agency or the Environmental Commission may require the opinion of the municipal agency engineer in its review of the environmental impact statement. Fees for the costs of such consultation above shall be paid by the applicant in accordance with § 91-24 of this chapter. Copies of the environmental impact statement will be on file and available for inspection in the office of the Administrative Officer.
A. 
Upon completion of all reviews and public hearing(s), the municipal agency shall either approve or disapprove the environmental impact statement as a part of its underlying function with respect to its review of the development. In reaching a decision, the municipal agency shall take into consideration the effect of applicant's proposed development upon all aspects of the environment as outlined above as well as the sufficiency of the applicant's proposals for dealing with any immediate or projected adverse environmental effects.
B. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Planning Board may, at the request of the applicant, waive the requirement for an environmental impact statement if sufficient evidence is submitted to support a conclusion that the proposed development will have a slight or negligible environmental impact. Portions of such requirement may likewise be waived upon a finding that the complete report need not be prepared in order to evaluate adequately the environmental impact of a particular project.